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Evaluating the Relationships between Riparian Land Cover Characteristics and Biological Integrity of Streams Using Random Forest Algorithms

Author

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  • Se-Rin Park

    (Graduate Program, Department of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Suyeon Kim

    (Graduate Program, Department of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul 05029, Korea)

  • Sang-Woo Lee

    (Department of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Konkuk University, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul 05029, Korea)

Abstract

The relationships between land cover characteristics in riparian areas and the biological integrity of rivers and streams are critical in riparian area management decision-making. This study aims to evaluate such relationships using the Trophic Diatom Index (TDI), Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index (BMI), Fish Assessment Index (FAI), and random forest regression, which can capture nonlinear and complex relationships with limited training datasets. Our results indicate that the proportions of land cover types in riparian areas, including urban, agricultural, and forested areas, have greater impacts on the biological communities in streams than those offered by land cover spatial patterns. The proportion of forests in riparian areas has the greatest influence on the biological integrity of streams. Partial dependence plots indicate that the biological integrity of streams gradually improves until the proportion of riparian forest areas reach about 60%; it rapidly decreases until riparian urban areas reach 25%, and declines significantly when the riparian agricultural area ranges from 20% to 40%. Overall, this study highlights the importance of riparian forests in the planning, restoration, and management of streams, and suggests that partial dependence plots may serve to provide insightful quantitative criteria for defining specific objectives that managers and decision-makers can use to improve stream conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Se-Rin Park & Suyeon Kim & Sang-Woo Lee, 2021. "Evaluating the Relationships between Riparian Land Cover Characteristics and Biological Integrity of Streams Using Random Forest Algorithms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3182-:d:520346
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yirigui Yirigui & Sang-Woo Lee & A. Pouyan Nejadhashemi & Matthew R. Herman & Jong-Won Lee, 2019. "Relationships between Riparian Forest Fragmentation and Biological Indicators of Streams," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-24, May.
    2. Se-Rin Park & Sang-Woo Lee, 2020. "Spatially Varying and Scale-Dependent Relationships of Land Use Types with Stream Water Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Yirigui Yirigui & Sang-Woo Lee & A. Pouyan Nejadhashemi, 2019. "Multi-Scale Assessment of Relationships between Fragmentation of Riparian Forests and Biological Conditions in Streams," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-24, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zahra Allahdad & Saeed Malmasi & Morvarid Montazeralzohour & Seyed Mohammad Moein Sadeghi & Mohammad M. Khabbazan, 2022. "Presenting the Spatio-Temporal Model for Predicting and Determining Permissible Land Use Changes Based on Drinking Water Quality Standards: A Case Study of Northern Iran," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Tan Huizhi & Lu Xiaoning & Yang Shiqi & Wang Yongqian & Li Feng & Liu Jinbao & Chen Jun & Huang Yue, 2022. "Drought risk assessment in the coupled spatial–temporal dimension of the Sichuan Basin, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 114(3), pages 3205-3233, December.

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